Filed under: Spy Photos , Truck , Europe , Toyota The midsize truck segment is suddenly seemingly exploding with new vehicles worldwide, even here in North America. Not only will the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon be available very soon, Toyota is already testing a replacement for its aging Tacoma and Honda has promised a Ridgeline replacement within the next 18 months . Also, the recently shown Nissan Navara is said to portend the future of our Frontier . Here’s some more fresh evidence from Europe of this pickup boom with the next generation of its venerable Hilux in testing. Thanks to Top Gear and sometimes the evening news , the Hilux has built a reputation of being able to go just about anywhere. According to out spy shooter, this particular pickup was spotted during hot weather testing in southern Europe. Interestingly, a Volkswagen Amarok was along for the ride as a benchmark. Because the VW tends to offer a bit more comfort than the generally utilitarian Hilux, this could indicate Toyota is considering taking the new truck in a slightly comfier, more refined direction. Compared to the current model, this camouflaged tester sports a narrower front grille and headlights. The hood scoop is also absent here.

Filed under: Spy Photos , Budget , Truck , Toyota With the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon set to arrive in dealers in the near future, it’s high time Toyota got to work on a replacement for the Tacoma , a vehicle whose present generation debuted in the middle of the Bush Administration. Now, we have images of that new pickup undergoing testing. Our spy photographers picked up this heavily modified mule undergoing tow tests in the desert. It rides on a modified version of the current Taco’s frame, as evidenced by shots of its undercarriage, although our spies cite the lack of riveted sections as indications that the current truck’s footprint should remain unchanged. Aside from underbody changes, this particular Tacoma featured a six-speed manual transmission, which we’re expecting to be joined by a six-speed automatic. The current four- and five-speed autos found on the current truck will almost certainly be killed off. Marching to the grave with those slushboxes will be the two-door Regular Cab body style. Our spies are expecting Toyota to focus its efforts on the larger, more accessible Double Cab. Take a look up top for the heavily detailed gallery of images of the new Tacoma in action. Expect the next-gen Tacoma to arrive later in 2015, likely as a 2016 model.

Filed under: Spy Photos , Coupe , Performance , Scion , Toyota We’ve seen (and frankly reported on) so many rumors of more powerful and performance-focused versions of the Subaru BRZ , Toyota GT86 and Scion FR-S at this point that haven’t materialized that, at this point, we’re almost tired of them. Almost. But what we have here was enough to pique our jaded interests as only a carbon-bodied sports car on the N

Filed under: Spy Photos , Crossover , Toyota With the new Toyota Avalon already on sale and a redesigned Corolla coming, Toyota is hard at work on its next makeover project: the next-generation Highlander . Considering the abundance of camouflage (even the A-pillars are covered up) on this prototype, it appears Toyota is still in the earlier phases of testing its three-row crossover, but we fully expect this new Highlander to debut for the 2014 model year. Being our first look at the 2014 Toyota Highlander, there are only a few details we notice about the new design. Obvious things include the blunt front end with a massive grille and more of a rake to the D-pillars taking away from the current model’s boxy rear end, while the big wheels, chrome trim around the windows and notable ground clearance lead us to believe this might be a higher-end version of the Highlander, maybe a Limited 4WD. The three-row crossover segment is heating up red hot, what with the sales-leading Ford Explorer now being stalked by updated Lambda crossovers from Chevy, Buick and GMC, as well as an all-new contender in the CUV-ified Nissan Pathfinder. The Highlander, already way up there near the Explorer in terms of sales, will be that much more competitive wearing whatever new skin is hiding underneath all that camo. All-new Toyota Highlander snapped while testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Spy Photos , Crossover , Toyota Aside from its shiny new EV counterpart, there hasn’t been much happening in the world of the Toyota RAV4 . That’s set to change, though, as these spy shots indicate that a refreshed model isn’t too far down the pipeline. Just how refreshed will it be? Well, considering the fact that the RAV4’s last major redesign took place six years ago, we hope that there are some significant changes under all of that camouflage. We can already see some new design elements, including a front fascia that reminds us of what we see on the new Camry . Arguably, the current RAV4 is a pretty handsome little thing, but with more and more crossovers adding curvy lines, we wouldn’t be shocked if this new model gained a dose of rakishness. Well, as much as Toyota can muster, anyway. Other details remain slim, but expect the interior to get a much-needed update, likely incorporating features like Toyota’s Entune infotainment system. Under the hood, four-cylinder engines are likely going to be the driving force, including a rumored hybrid variant, but we won’t rule out the inclusion of the automaker’s 3.5-liter V6, as well. The new RAV4 will likely debut later this year in time for the 2013 model year.

Filed under: Coupe , Performance , Tokyo Motor Show , Scion , Subaru , Toyota Remember how the Lexus LFA race car debuted long before we ever saw the final production car? Well, it appears that parent company Toyota is planning to pull a similar stunt with its FT-86 Scion FR-S coupe. Here, we see a racier FR-S prototype being prepped for this weekend’s German VLN race at the N

Filed under: Spy Photos , Sedan , Toyota Toyota says big things are in store for the redesigned 2012 Camry , and the vehicle is nearly ready to show its face to the world. The mid-sized sedan isn’t quite ready yet, however, and our spy photographers have captured the camo-wearing four-doors making their way around the desert. We’ve been promised a more dynamic looking Camry the next time out, and the angles cut around the nose look sharper than recent generations. Still, it’s just speculation at this point, because that camouflage is doing a pretty good job of hiding what lies beneath. Thankfully, we won’t have to wait too much longer to see the updated sedan, as it’s slated to hit dealer lots this fall. 2012 Toyota Camry closer to revealing new look originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Spy Photos , Scion , Toyota Spy Shots: Scion FR-S – Click above for high-res image gallery We’ve been waiting, rather patiently we might add, for Toyota to bring out its latest sports car for what seems like millenniums. This new coupe will be wearing a Scion badge and go by the name FR-S , which stands for “front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sport.” It’s the “R” and “S” that has enthusiasts eager to lay eyes on this Scion in the flesh. A concept version was trotted out at the 2011 New York Auto Show , but spy photographers managed to capture a camo-covered development mule adding “Germany” to the stamps in its passport book. What specific area of Germany, you ask? Just a little town called N